Conference finals 12/6/14

Amherst (6-2-0;3-2-0 NESCAC)     3
Williams (5-2-1; 4-1-1 NESCAC)   4
Box Score Recap 

Williams came out victorious in the 129th meeting of Ephs/Lord Jeffs thanks to a power play goal by Greg Johnson (D, '16) in the third to break a 3-3 tie. Craig Kitto (F, '15) notched his second career hat-trick for the Ephs' first three goals. For Amherst, David White (F, '18) scored a power play goal, Conor Brown (F, '16) scored his team leading fifth goal and coach Bruce Arena's son Pat Arena (F, '17) netted his first tally of the season.

After a poor performance by reigning NESCAC All-First team goalie Sean Dougherty (G, '15) in a loss to Hamilton on Friday, coach Bill Kangas gave freshman Stephen Morrissey the nod in goal. The Kent product made 23 saves while Dave Cunningham (G, '16) stopped 22 of 25 Williams' shots in defeat.

Williams returns to action first weekend of 2015 out in Minnesotta against Gustavus Adolphus and St. Olaf. Amherst heads to upstate New York that weekend for the Plattsburgh tournament to take on Utica then either host Platty or New England College.


Colby (2-4-2; 0-4-2 NESCAC)                5      
Conn College (2-5-1;2-3-1 NESCAC)     5
Box Score    Recap 

A momentum pendulum affaired closed out conference play in New London on Sunday. Conn College scored three period goals to erase a 5-2 Colby advantage after two periods. The Mules had scored four unanswered goals in the second to take the lead after Conn College opened up a 2-1 advantage in the first three minutes of the second.

EJ Rauseo (F, '17) had his first career hat trick -including two of Colby's three power play goals in five chances - along with adding an assist on  linemate Devin Albert (F, '17)'s tally. Mules freshman Dan Dupont (D, '18), scored his first collegiate goal to round out the scoring. For Conn College, Joe Birmingham (F, '17) put in two markers to end the day as the Camels leading goal scorer. JC Cangelosi (F, '15) put in the game tying goal with 3:11 left.

Tom Conlin (G, '15) stopped 34 shots, including the only four by either team in OT, while Mules senior Jordan Nathan (G, '15) made 25 shots. Not sure why, but last year's starter Sam Parker (G, '15) has yet to see a minute of action this season for Colby.

The Mules head to Vermont in early 2015 to take on #2 Norwich in the opening round of the Northfield Bank Tournament, while Conn College heads to Boston that weekend to take on #6 UMass-Boston in the Codfish Bowl (Hamilton is also in this tournament).


Hamilton (3-3-1; 2-2-1 NESCAC)       2
Middlebury (2-4-2;2-2-2 NESCAC)    6
Box Score    Recap 

Middlebury killed off a five minute major to end the second then scored two third period goals to break open a 4-2 contest after two periods of play. The Continentals fought back from an early 3-0 deficit with a goal in the final minute of the first and a power play tally in the early going in the second, but the Panthers regained the momentum when Mike Najjar (F, '17) netted a wrister from the point nine minutes into the second. The goal concluded a long offensive zone possession for the Panthers marked by Hamilton's inability to clear the zone.

The Panthers had three special teams goals on the afternoon, including Paul Falvey (D, '16) netting his first collegiate tally on a short handed rebound off a George Ordway (F, '17) shot. Ordway scored his first of the season and Jake Charles (F, '16) put in his team leading fifth and sixth markers of the season. For Hamilton, Robbie Murden (F, '17) scored his team leading fifth goal, all scored in the last three contests.

Charlie Fennell (G, '17) made his third straight start for an injured Evan Buitenhuis (G, '18) and made only 18 saves for his first loss of the season. On the other end, coach Bill Beaney might have finally found his answer in net in freshman Stephen Klein (G, '18), who made 23 saves for his first collegiate victory.

Several documentary cameras were on hand at Kenyon Arena as well as the ref wearing a gopro camera for an upcoming documentary on Middlebury hockey produced by New England Hockey Journal. The documentary will air on Comcast Sports New England. We'll keep you updated as it gets closer to being on the air.

Hamilton concludes play in 2014 with a home game (their first since opening night) against SUNY Cortland on Friday December 12. Middlebury heads to Lake Placid, NY New Year's weekend for games against St. Michael's and Hobart.


Bowdoin (6-2-1; 3-2-1 NESCAC)     3
Tufts (4-4-1; 2-31 NESCAC)            4   OT 
Box Score   Recap 

Jumbos freshman Brian Brown (F, '18) scored his team leading sixth goal with 1:35 left in OT to complete the Jumbos sweep of their Maine visitors this weekend. The Jumbos now have five points in six conference games this season, the same number of points they posted in the entire 2013-14 campaign. And last year, they needed an upset win over Bowdoin in the regular season finale just to get to five points. Leaving Maine for the first time this season was not kind to Bowdoin, who also lost to Conn College on Friday, after entering the weekend as the only defeated team in the 'Cac (overall, Trinity is the only undefeated team in conference games).

Bowdoin concludes play in 2014 back in the friendly confines of Maine against USM on Tuesday, while Tufts returns to action against nationally ranked Oswego on January 2, 2015 in the Lakers New Year's tournament.